INTERNSHIP JOB POSTING

RECRUITMENT NOTE: You likely will not be able to use the actual links on the school websites, but please do hyperlink if able. If the posting is too long for the school to accept, please let Colleen know and she will draft a shortened version.

What is a Patent Agent?

A patent agent is an individual who has an engineering or a hard science degree and is licensed by the Federal Government to prepare, file, and prosecute patent applications. Patent agents are unique in the legal field in that they are entitled to represent clients before the US Patent Office without attending law school. On a daily basis, patent agents work with inventors to identify and to understand inventions. The agent then prepares a written specification of the invention and works with a draftsperson to prepare drawings illustrating the invention. Later, as the patent application is examined by the Patent Office, the agent engages with government patent examiners to argue in favor of the patent application. The most successful patent agents exhibit a command of technical writing and analytical thinking coupled with a strong scientific acumen.

What to Expect as a Patent Agent Intern

- Our interns are paired with a mentor.

- They learn the basics of submitting a patent.

- All interns are part of a larger summer program that includes law school interns.

- They also get to enjoy firmwide and smaller team excursions.

- And of course, receive competitive compensation. 

Requirements:

Applicants must demonstrate a commitment to be enrolled in one of the degree programs listed on our website and intend to live in the geographic area of one of our firm’s offices after graduating. Students who are interested in applying for the Shumaker Patent Agent Internship program must be current undergraduate juniors or post-graduate students (i.e. masters or doctoral candidates) enrolled in one of the degree programs outlined above.

Applicants must submit the following documents:

Undergraduate Diversity Science Scholarship

The optional Shumaker Undergraduate Diversity Science Scholarship program provides a $5,000 scholarship to one (1) or two (2) outstanding undergraduate juniors or post-graduate students who are selected to participate in the firm’s Patent Agent Internship program. The scholarship is in addition to the salary paid to the student for the Patent Agent Internship program, and is awarded to assist in offsetting school expenses. The scholarship is awarded at Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, LLP’s discretion.

Eligibility

- Must be a member of an underrepresented or minority group(s).

- Must have outstanding academic credentials, demonstrated leadership abilities, and community involvement.

- Applicant must select 'Yes" to the Diversity Scholarship question on the application and attach a short essay (no more than 500 words) on the topic of how the applicant has made a difference and contributed to making the world a place where everyone can feel a sense of belonging. Applicant is encouraged to discuss their history of involvement and leadership in society and/or their school.

- The Shumaker Undergraduate Diversity Science Scholarship requires that the recipient be selected for and complete the firm’s paid Patent Agent Intern Program following the recipient’s third year of undergraduate school or post-graduate studies, for a minimum of eight weeks. The scholarship will be paid upon the student’s completion of the firm’s Patent Agent Intern program and interns will be eligible for consideration of full time employment following graduation.

If you have any questions please contact Colleen Miller, Director of Recruitment, at cmmiller@shumaker.com. 

Shumaker reserves the right to extend the deadlines and/or extend an offer for the position and/or scholarship prior to any deadlines. We are unable to provide sponsorship for this internship opportunity.